“No, no we have to go back. We have to go back for Nikolas.” Madeline fought against the men who held her, squirming against the tight grips they had on her arms as they threw her into the waiting car.

“We have to get you to safety; it’s too late. It’s too late for Nikolas,” Stephen’s voice was filled with the pain that Madeline felt, but she could hardly register it. She still couldn’t quite understand what was happening. She had woken to the sounds of a struggle and then gunfire. Her men had mobilized quickly to fight back against the intruders, but it was Nickolas that had saved her, as he had before. Only this time, the bullet that had been meant for her ripped through him, leaving a hole she knew couldn’t be fixed. It was the second time the man had taken a bullet for her, but it would also be the last.

She’d knelt by his side, trying to staunch the flow of dark red blood that oozed from his wound. He had looked at her, still alive but knowing it wouldn’t be long before he passed. She hadn’t had words to tell him how much she adored him, how loyal and trustworthy he had been to her all these months. He had been with her from hell and back, a father she’d never really had. “You did your duty, Nikolas. And you will never be forgotten. I promise.” She had watched the man shudder and take his final breaths, just moments before she was scooped up and rushed out of the apartment.

The car ride from her apartment to the family’s headquarters were silent. She could hear gunfire in the neighborhood and, she wondered just what fresh hell had begun tonight. They had tried to kill her and failed – she didn’t know who yet, or why, but she did know she couldn’t have been the only one. She ran from the car the moment that it stopped, inside the NYNZoT Headquarters.

“I need a status update, now! Where’s the Godfather?”

“Safe, ma'am, we’ve moved him to a protected location. Hetepi is dead, we’re still trying to locate the others. So far all we know is we’re being attacked by Las Vegas and Los Angeles. We’ve gotten word that Godfather Luciano in Detroit is also dead.”

So, this was it then; they had peace for what felt like an eternity, but Madeline was always taught that peace was never lasting in their world. Eventually, the world would burn, and it seemed that tonight was the night. She wasn’t sure if she would survive this, but she knew that Nikolas had sacrificed himself to give her the chance and hell if she was going to go down without a damn good fight. She owed him her all.

“Get me someone from Philly on the phone and let’s get the others protected. Shelley, Roper, Kamille, Space – find them and get them all here. Hurry.”

The next few hours would be a blur. The cities of New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and Detroit would mobilize as one to fight off their attackers. Los Angeles and Las Vegas had the benefit of surprise and had finances on their side. Godfather Ligambi was known to be a wealthy man and it was unquestionable that he had paid well for the security of his people. But they had the numbers and soon their forces would overwhelm the others – although not without their fair share of loses. Throughout the evening she was fed bits of pieces of what was happening around the city to her friends and family.

Godmother Shelley was first – while trying to get her to protection they had walked into a trap, setting off explosions that killed her instantly. DefinitelyNotBread, a longtime and close friend of Madeline’s, was killed in a gun battle while hunting their enemies, having already taken a few down. Victoria had fallen to a gunshot in the streets while trying to protect her mother, an honorable yet heartbreaking way to go. Still, it had not been in vain as Kamille had gotten to safety and was able to avenge the death of her daughter. Roper was locked away by his trusty cow right hand while his clubhouse was overrun by assailants. Cowluh, ever faithful, never left his side and ensured he was protected all night long. And Cable, a man she’d long trusted and was proud to fight next to, was ambushed and shot down only moments after she last spoke to him.

Don Spacepole was a formidable sight that night, taking down target after target. When Godfather Jemaine joined the fight, he did the same and together the two were a force to be reckoned with, plowing through anyone in their way. The city pulled together in a way that made Madeline swell with pride; every person of every rank showed up to help, to protect and to fight.

Madeline had utilized a fleet of private planes and more money than she could imagine flying across the country, searching for targets and trying to get more of their people home to safety. Death was everywhere, and it was all she could do to keep standing and moving, pushing forward. At first, both sides were evenly taking losses but soon the tides turned, and Vegas was down to its last remaining members.

It was then that Madeline was ambushed on her way to check on the Godfather. There was miscommunication and she found herself alone, following a target while herself unknowingly being tracked. Her gun was in hand as she tried to find the man she had been sent to kill, but he was already gone, moved to protection by the time she arrived.

She heard the gunshot before she felt it, the bullet grazing her leg as she tried to move to safety. The first gunshot was quickly followed by another and Madeline looked up to see Jemaine standing over the body of her assailant – in trying to kill her, they had given away their own location and Jemaine had been ready. He helped her to her feet and she thanked him with a hug. He had given her everything in this world and now had saved her life on top of it. Her loyalty to him would know no end.

The war ended a fleeting time later, the falling of Don Loretta marking the last of the deaths. It had been a long, bloody night and Madeline had lost some dear friends. The leaders of New York would meet back at the NYNZoT Headquarters - Kamille, reeling from the death of her daughter, Space looking tired and bit banged up, Roper raging over his burning Headquarters. But they couldn't stop just yet. They had funerals to arrange and kin to look after. Madeline's thoughts went to Philly and friends she had yet to hear from. Were the Bryne twins alive and well? What about her newest business partner, Adonis? And of course, she needed to find Alex. She needed to know that he, at least, was ok. 

Although the bloodshed had stopped, the day was far from over. 

The commotion outside Roper's clubhouse had caused him to stir from his alcohol-fueled nap, It sounded like his bouncer was shouting at someone outside. Roper lifted his heavy head from the bar counter to see his RHM Cowluh come hurrying in from out the back of the clubhouse, Roper noticed that Cowluh looked concerned and was beelining for him.

"Come on boss, We've got to hurry. We haven't got much time" Cowluh wrapped his arms around Roper to lift him up out of the bar stool he had been sitting in for a good part of the night, Roper almost tipped over in his drunken haze. "What, What's the hurry. Can't a man enjoy his booze in his own club" Roper told him trying to pull away from Cowluh's clasp.

The Commotion outside the club was getting louder, A few of bodyguards Madeline had made Roper take began to hurry over to the front door and a few more went to assist his bouncer at the door. They began to push Roper towards the back exit when the first rounds of gunfire could be heard. Roper his bouncer, an old friend slide through the door, Clutching his stomach. He groaned "At least 10 of them, More on the way. Get the boss the fuck out of here." 

More of his bodyguard rushed to join the ensuing fight outside, Roper started to fight against the growing number of guards dragging him with, Cowluh directing their attention at the front. Gun in hand "No! These are my fucking men, This is my club! I'm not going to leave it because some fuckheads want to kill me" Roper shouted in drunken anger, his attempts to resist Cowluh and Madeline's guards in vain. He wanted to fight, Cowluh wasn't having any of it. 

The bundled him through the back, the gunfight out the front was heavy. He had seen something similar before, except he was now the target. New York was at war. In the distance, a rumbling echo of an explosion going off could be heard. Scattered shouting was all around him, The world had started to spin. The booze was fogging Roper's brain, he couldn't think straight. 

The bodyguards slung him into the back of one of his club's vans. Cowluh jumped in next to him, Roper felt like he was going to be sick. The doors slammed shut and the van spun out of the parking lot and on to the road. Roper could see smoke pouring out of his club and the bodies of both his assailants and his men out front from the back windows of his van. 

He spent the journey just staring at his RHM. Roper was seething, anger coursing throughout his veins. Cowluh knew there was nothing could do or say that could quench the flames in he's bosses veins. The van drove what seemed to be hours, down various back alleys and side roads. Avoiding potential ambushes.

Eventually, The van came to a halt outside his Godfather's HQ in Brooklyn. Roper ran inside ready to explode at Madeline, The sight he saw blunted his anger. The shell-shocked look on Kamille's face, Space's tired and banged up appearance, Madeline's leg covered in what seemed to be a bandage. It wasn't just him hurting right now, It was the entire city.

Roper went over and hugged Kamille, his old boss who told him the news about Victoria. "We'll have an Irish funeral Kam, We'll remember Vic's bravery together" Roper looked over at Madeline with a vague look of respect. He then looked for Cowluh, He saw him on the phone, Probably issuing orders. The bloodshed had stopped but the grieving had just begun.